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Tokyo Weekender
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Upcoming Tokyo Exhibitions and Art Shows: August 2025
A look at upcoming exhibitions and art shows across Tokyo for the month of August. Whether you want to see some traditional Japanese art or a modern exhibit, here's everything worth checking out. List of Contents: Tokyo Art Shows in August Tokyo Exhibitions in August Related Posts Tokyo Art Shows in August Aki Sasamoto: Laboratory Explore Aki Sasamoto's 20-year journey in Laboratory, blending sculpture, performance and video at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum. Date & Time Aug 23-Nov 24・10:00-18:00・Last entry 30 minutes before closing Price Free Location Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art, 3F Special Exhibition Room More Details 60th Anniversary Gacha Gacha Exhibition Gachapon, or capsule toys, have been a staple of Japanese pop culture. Marking the 60th anniversary of gachapon in Japan, the Marunouchi Building is hosting a special exhibition highlighting the evolution of the toys and some of the biggest names in the industry. Date & Time Jul 26-Aug 15・10:00-19:00・Last Admission at 18:30, Closes at 17:00 on the last day of the exhibit (Last Admission: 16:30) Price ¥1200 for adults, ¥1000 for high school students, ¥800 for elementary and junior high school students, free for preschool children Location Marunouchi Building More Details Exhibition: World Fair in Japan 1970-2005 Architecture fans will delight in this deep dive into Japan's Expo designs, from Osaka in the '70's to Aichi 2005's eco-conscious pavilions. Date & Time Mar 08-Aug 31・10:00-16:30 Price Free Location National Archives of Modern Architecture More Info Closed on Mondays, except public holidays (closed the following day instead) More Details The Fear Exhibition The Fear Exhibition, at the Beam Gallery in Shibuya, explores fears and anxieties of the human heart. Focusing on both conventional and irrational fears, the exhibit is an opportunity for visitors to explore a wide range of phobias while also confronting their own fears. Date & Time Jul 18-Aug 31・11:00-20:00・last admission 30 minutes before closing Price ¥2300 Location Shibuya Beam More Details Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation Explore the life and legacy of Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, through rare art and materials from his iconic films, including Grave of the Fireflies, opening this summer at Azabudai Hills Gallery. Date & Time Jun 27-Sep 15・10:00-20:00・Last Entry 19:30 Price ¥1,200-¥2,000 Location Azabudai Hills Gallery More Details Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle is a new special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum running from July 19 to September 21 organized in cooperation with the Tokugawa Memorial Foundation. The exhibit features over 180 artifacts, connecting guests to the Empress Dowagers, concubines and maids of the shogunate. Date & Time Jul 19-Sep 21・~17:00・closed on July 22, open until 20:00 every Friday and Saturday, last admission 30 minutes before closing Price ¥2100 for adults, ¥1300 for university students, ¥900 for high school students Location Tokyo National Museum More Details The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest The Mori Art Museum will be exhibiting "The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest," a comprehensive overview of projects from architect Sou Fujimoto's design journey. Date & Time Jul 02-Nov 09・10:00-22:00・10:00-17:00 on Tuesdays, Open until 22:00 on September 23 Price ¥2300 for adults, ¥2000 for seniors, ¥1400 for university/high school students, free for children Location Mori Art Museum More Info admission price varies on weekends and holidays, online tickets are discounted More Details Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Tokyo Exhibitions in August Ando Teru Exhibition: The Sculptor of The Hachiko Statue This exhibition revisits the sculptor behind Shibuya's beloved Hachiko statue, marking 80 years since his death. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 17・10:00-20:00 Price ¥1000 Location The Shoto Museum of Art More Info Closed on Mondays (except for July 21, and August 11, 2025), July 22(Tue.), and August 12(Tue.), 2025 More Details Related Posts Vatican Returns 26 Martyrs of Japan Portraits to Japan After 94 Years Kioi Seido: Tokyo's Enigmatic 'Building With No Purpose'
Tokyo Weekender
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
The Best Things To Do in Tokyo This Month: August 2025
Here is what's happening across Tokyo for the month of August. Check out exhibitions, festivals, events and more! List of Contents: Exhibitions and Art Shows Festivals and Outdoor Events Community and Family Events Anime and Manga Events Food and Drink Events Film and Game Events Related Posts Tokyo Exhibitions and Art Shows in August Aki Sasamoto: Laboratory Explore Aki Sasamoto's 20-year journey in Laboratory, blending sculpture, performance and video at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum. Date & Time Aug 23-Nov 24・10:00-18:00・Last entry 30 minutes before closing Price Free Location Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art, 3F Special Exhibition Room More Details Ando Teru Exhibition: The Sculptor of The Hachiko Statue This exhibition revisits the sculptor behind Shibuya's beloved Hachiko statue, marking 80 years since his death. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 17・10:00-20:00 Price ¥1000 Location The Shoto Museum of Art More Info Closed on Mondays (except for July 21, and August 11, 2025), July 22(Tue.), and August 12(Tue.), 2025 More Details Exhibition: World Fair in Japan 1970-2005 Architecture fans will delight in this deep dive into Japan's Expo designs, from Osaka in the '70's to Aichi 2005's eco-conscious pavilions. Date & Time Mar 08-Aug 31・10:00-16:30 Price Free Location National Archives of Modern Architecture More Info Closed on Mondays, except public holidays (closed the following day instead) More Details Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation Explore the life and legacy of Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, through rare art and materials from his iconic films, including Grave of the Fireflies, opening this summer at Azabudai Hills Gallery. Date & Time Jun 27-Sep 15・10:00-20:00・Last Entry 19:30 Price ¥1,200-¥2,000 Location Azabudai Hills Gallery More Details The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest The Mori Art Museum will be exhibiting "The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest," a comprehensive overview of projects from architect Sou Fujimoto's design journey. Date & Time Jul 02-Nov 09・10:00-22:00・10:00-17:00 on Tuesdays, Open until 22:00 on September 23 Price ¥2300 for adults, ¥2000 for seniors, ¥1400 for university/high school students, free for children Location Mori Art Museum More Info admission price varies on weekends and holidays, online tickets are discounted More Details Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Tokyo Festivals and Outdoor Events in August Nagaoka Fireworks Festival 2025 Held on August 2 and 3, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a memorial service for those who died in the Nagaoka air raids of 1945, a display of gratitude to those who worked so hard for reconstruction and a wish for lasting peace. Bleacher seats are set up on both banks of the Shinano River so that the fireworks can be viewed from both directions. The width of the river and its banks allows the festival to use a large number of impressive shaku-dama — large-shell fireworks — for the display. The sho-sanshaku-dama fireworks, boasting a burst diameter of 650 meters, and the Reconstruction Phoenix Fireworks — a five-minute display stretching approximately 2 kilometers in length — are highlights of the spectacle. Date & Time Aug 02-03・19:20-21:10 Price Free Location Shinanogawa Kasen Park More Details Omagari Fireworks Festival 2025 Held in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, the Omagari Fireworks Festival has been held since 1910, and runs as a competition of pyrotechnicians from all over Japan. The fireworks craftsmen are required to make their own fireworks and bring them to the competition, where judging will focus on design, color and creativity. The Prime Minister's Prize is also awarded in this prestigious competition. Spectators can enjoy completely different fireworks displays in the daytime and at night. Daytime fireworks in particular are rare in Japan, making this a fascinating competition in which beauty is decided not by light but by smoke. Date & Time Aug 30, 2025・17:10-21:30 Price Free Location Omono Riverside Ryokuchi Athletic Park More Details Make Your Own Odori Geta at Fairfield by Marriott Gifu Gujo Date & Time Jul 31-Aug 29 Price ¥6,000 per person (tax included) Location Fairfield by Marriott Gifu Gujo More Info 10 people per session (minimum 5 participants). Participants must be in upper elementary grades or older. (Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.) More Details Tokyo City View Star Festival in the Sky Now for a limited time, Tokyo City View observation deck invites guests to come stargazing above the Tokyo metropolis. Inspired by tanabata, visitors can enjoy the venue's immersive experiences including a Milky Way photo spot and bamboo centerpieces filled with wishes. Enjoy the twinkles of the night sky with panoramic views from the deck. Date & Time Jun 20-Sep 07・10:00-22:00・last admission: 21:30 Price ¥2400 for adults, ¥2100 for seniors, ¥1700 for university/high school students, ¥1100 for children Location Tokyo City View More Info admission price of online tickets varies More Details My Melody & Kuromi Anniversary Party at Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland To celebrate My Melody's 50th anniversary and Kuromi's 20th anniversary, Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland theme parks will have new attractions, entertainment, photo spots, merchandise and food. Date & Time Jan 17-Dec 31・Specific event and attraction dates may vary Price Location Sanrio Puroland More Details Tokyo Live Music and Night Life Events in August LuckyFes 2025: Japan's Fastest-Growing Music Festival LuckyFes 2025, Japan's fastest-growing music festival, returns from August 9 to 11 with more than 100 artists performing across four stages. Date & Time Aug 09-11 Price 1-day pass: ¥13,500 | 2-day pass: ¥24,000 | 3-day pass: ¥35,000 Location Hitachi Seaside Park More Details Tokyo Community and Family Events in August Sanrio Puroland Neo Summer Matsuri Sanrio Puroland theme park is hosting a special summer festival. Mixing retro and futuristic neon themes, the Puroland Neo Natsu Matsuri is bringing fun festival games, workshops, character greetings, seasonal menus and merchandise. Date & Time Jul 11-Sep 02 Price starting at ¥4300 Location Sanrio Puroland More Details Tokyo Anime and Manga Events in August Naruto Shippuden Shinobi Scout Caravan Naruto Shippuden fans and prospective shinobi, here's your opportunity to train your ninja skills. The Naruto Shippuden Shinobi Scout Caravan at Shibuya Cast is an immersive pop-up anime event with attractions, photo spots and exclusive merchandise. Date & Time Jun 26-Aug 04・12:00-19:00・Last entry is at 18:00, The venue will open from 13:00 starting on July 11 Price Prices vary by course Location Shibuya Cast More Details © Sotsu, Sunrise Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Exhibition A special exhibition of the latest work in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX (Siege Ax) -Beginning-, is currently being held. Date & Time May 24-Aug 11・11:00-19:00 Price Free Location Anime Tokyo Station More Details Operation Gundam R with WHG Hotels The 'Operation Gundam R with WHG Hotels' initiative features a massive Gunpla giveaway and the opening of special Gundam themed hotel rooms. Date & Time Jul 15-Aug 31 Price The rooms are priced at ¥45,000 Location Hotel Gracery Tamachi More Info Includes breakfast for up to two people More Details My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition The globally acclaimed manga series My Hero Academia is being honored with a special exhibition in Tokyo, celebrating creator Kohei Horikoshi's artistic journey and the series' conclusion after a remarkable 10-year run. This exhibition offers fans a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of one of Japan's most successful modern manga series up close. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 31・10:00-20:00 Price ¥2200 Location CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO More Info Discounts for students More Details Leiji Matsumoto Manga Exhibition The "Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Journey of Creation" exhibit at Tokyo City View showcases more than 300 original drawings, including Matsumoto's early works and never-before-seen content from "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock." Date & Time Jun 20-Sep 07・10:00-20:00 Price Location Tokyo City View More Details Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition In 2003, Tokyo was blessed with the Ghilbli 3D sculpture exhibition. Now, 22 years later, it is back and bigger than ever. Dive into the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Pom Poko with full-scale sculptures from the films. You can even see the Savoia S-21 flying boat from Porco Rosso. Date & Time May 27-Sep 23・09:30-20:00・Last Entry at 19:00 Price ¥1,900 Location Warehouse TERRADA B&C HALL More Details Tokyo Food and Drink Events in August Le Pristine Tokyo and Nogizaka Shin Celebrate the Charm of Summer A special between Dennis Kuipers, executive chef at Le Pristine Tokyo and Shinji Ishida, the owner-chef of Nogizaka Shin. Date & Time Aug 02-03・Dinner from 18:30 on August 2: Lunch from 12:30 on August 3 Price ¥44,000 per person Location Le Pristine Restaurantt Tokyo More Info Non-alcoholic pairings are also available upon request More Details A Farm-to-Table Dinner at Tamba Wine Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Kyotamba invites hotel guests to an exclusive duck and wine dinner on August 30. Date & Time Aug 30, 2025・16:15-21:15 Price ¥25,000 Location Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Kyotamba More Details Sapporo Beer The Perfect Black Label Wagon Event Sapporo's Perfect Black Label Wagon is touring at 13 stops celebrating their flagship draft beer around the country. Guests can enjoy Sapporo beer and other exclusive goods at the event. Date & Time Apr 09-Aug 24・Please check event details for each venue Price Experience passes: ¥1200 (Tokyo), ¥1000 (other locations) Location Roppongi Hills Arena More Details Shake Shack x Human Made Collaboration Shake Shack has teamed up with Human Made, a lifestyle brand founded by NIGO, to release a collaboration collection and menu in select stores throughout Japan and Asia. Date & Time Jul 19-Aug 31・Collaboration will end when items sell out Price Location Shake Shack More Details Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Tokyo Summer Menu Gucci Osteria has a new "Mediterranean and Japanese Summer" tasting menu, blending Italian and Japanese culinary traditions. Date & Time Jun 03-Aug 31・11:30-23:00・Closed from 15:00-18:00; Closed on Mondays Price Prices vary Location Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura More Details Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum ANA InterContinental Tokyo is offering Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum at Karin Chinese Restaurant. Date & Time May 01-Aug 31・11:30~・Three Sittings, 2-hour limit: 11:30 - 14:-00 - 17:30 Price ¥8,855 Location Karin Chinese Restaurant More Info Enjoy an optional free-flow drink plan for an extra ¥3,000 per person More Details Jade Garden Hosts Executive Chef Wang Bin Until August 31, Hyatt Regency Tokyo's Jade Garden is welcoming Executive Chef Wang Bin and his culinary team from Tongyuan 600. Date & Time Jul 05-Aug 31・11:30-15:00・Dinner: 17:30-22:00 Price Lunch ¥10,000, Dinner ¥16,000-¥22,000 Location Jade Garden More Info Prices include tax and 15% service charge More Details Mesm Tokyo's Afternoon Exhibition Chapter 14: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First Half Mesm Tokyo is offering a special afternoon tea program titled 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First half' at its bar and lounge, Whisk. Date & Time Jun 01-Aug 31・14:00~ Price ¥7,000 Location Bar & Lounge Whisk, Mesm Tokyo More Details Mori no Beer Garden's 40th Edition Mori no Beer Garden is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue and an all-you-can-eat drinks menu. Date & Time Apr 15-Sep 23・16:30-22:00・Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:00. From July 19 to August 31: 14:00-22:30, Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:30 Price ¥6,000-¥7,000 for adults Location Niko Niko Park, Meiji Jingu Gaien More Details WHG Hotels' Spice Up Your Morning Fair A total of 28 WHG Hotels are holding a fair called "Spice Up Your Morning" from July 15 to September 30, 2025. Date & Time Jul 15-Sep 30 Price Free for guests staying at one of the hotels Location Hotel Gracery Tamachi More Details (c)Kristin Perers Bills Spring-Summer 2025 Menu The all-day dining restaurant Bills (stylized as bills) starts its spring-summer 2025 menu at all eight locations in Japan from April 22. Date & Time Apr 22-Oct 15 Price Breakfast-Brunch ¥3,000-¥3,999 Location bills Ginza More Info Dinner ¥5,000-¥5,999 More Details Mesm Tokyo's Bistronomy Lunch & Dinner Program: Ballet Cinderella 2025 Mesm Tokyo is offering a collaborative lunch and dinner program with the New National Theatre, Tokyo: Ballet Cinderella. Date & Time Jun 20-Oct 26・11:30-22:00 Price Lunch Program: ¥7,600, Dinner Program: ¥15,800 Location Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection More Info Prices include consumption tax and 15% service charge More Details Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's BBQ Terrace Ablaze Is Open Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's open terrace, Ablaze, offers a luxurious BBQ experience with panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Tower. Date & Time Apr 19-Oct 26 Price Course menus start at ¥6,800. Prices include tax and service charge. Location Hilton Tokyo Odaiba More Details Tokyo Film and Game Events in August Katamari Damacy Pop-Up Collaboration Cafe Step into the whimsical world of Katamari Damacy at its first-ever pop-up cafe in Shibuya Parco, featuring themed dishes and exclusive merch. Date & Time Jul 25-Sep 02・10:00-21:00 Price Free Location Tokyo Parade goods&cafe More Details See the Goblet of Fire at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo From April 18 to September 8, 2025, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo celebrates the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Date & Time Apr 18-Sep 08 Price Adult tickets start from ¥5,000; juniors ¥4,150; children ¥3,000 (prices may vary). Location The Making of Harry Potter - Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo More Details Related Posts The Ultimate Guide to Summer Festivals in Tokyo Unmissable Fireworks Festivals in Japan for Summer 2025
Japan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Ghibli's Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
Rather than a single-minded lone auteur, Isao Takahata was a receptive collaborator at heart. That's the thrust of a new exhibition dedicated to the works and creative process of the acclaimed animation director and Studio Ghibli cofounder, who died in 2018. 'The man who planted Japanese animation' opened on June 27 at Tokyo's Azabudai Hills Gallery. It's an exhibit best appreciated through its details; its displays are as meticulously assembled as the works of the late director of 'Pom Poko' and 'Grave of the Fireflies.' The show is very much one of paper. Though there are, of course, anime cels and finished animations, the exhibition unearths vast amounts of archival photographs, sketches, memos, storyboards, watercolors, aided by informative wall texts in English, with the occasional Chinese and Korean. As a result, viewers are steeped in the tactile laboriousness employed by Takahata and the animators of his generation, which seems to fly in the face of the rise of AI in the animation and creative industries at large. Takahata encouraged collaboration and the exhibition showcases works by his team members, such as image boards for "Pom Poko" illustrated by animators Yoshiyuki Momose and Shinji Otsuka. | © 1994 Isao Takahata / Studio Ghibli, NH 'The man who planted Japanese animation' gives considerable attention to Takahata's lesser known works, including his commercial flop debut feature in 1968, 'Little Norse Prince Valiant,' about a folk prince fighting black magic. A sizable space is devoted to Takahata's 'communal, democratic' approach to teamwork. The director (who himself didn't draw) was keen to incorporate opinions, ideas and designs from his animators on all areas of the film. Display cases show the extensive collaborative effort by the staff, including its youngest animator, Hayao Miyazaki, whose memos made strong arguments for realistic depictions of the villagers and featured design proposals for a troll and an ice mammoth, which became significant to the film. A highlight in the 'Little Norse Prince Valiant' gallery is a 'tension chart,' translated into English as 'emotion curve,' for the film, a painstakingly hand-drawn chart of rises and falls in drama, plotted against the individual emotions of twenty characters. One of the hallmarks of Studio Ghibli films is the way even small movements and actions of the characters can convey great emotion or intention. Even in moments of high drama or extreme comedy, they react in recognizable and quotidian ways — a slumping shoulder, a mindful door-closing, a ravenously consumed meal. The exhibition evidences the hard and meticulous work that goes into making animation. | Thu-Huong Ha The gallery spaces devoted to Takahata's TV work, which includes the domestic and global hit 'Heidi, Girl of the Alps,' convey how he and Miyazaki were building these skills well before Studio Ghibli existed. They focused on depicting everyday life vividly, through characters' interactions with food, for example. Not surprisingly, Miyazaki features as a prominent character in his own right in the exhibition, and his contributions are underscored. 'Meeting Miyazaki was significant,' Takahata says in a video about their process. 'He didn't learn from me, but I'm sure he learned a lot from our work together.' In the sections devoted to Takahata's best known features, there is plentiful archival material for diehards. The 'Grave of the Fireflies' gallery contains location-scouting photos from the 1988 war film, including several photos that inspired the memorable pole against which the main character slumps against and dies in the opening scene. The 'Pom Poko' room exhibits a long display case of image boards illustrated by animators Yoshiyuki Momose and Shinji Otsuka, giving fans a chance to see their early ideas in vivid riotous splendor. A caption quoting Takahata — 'I think of this film as a documentary' — is a simultaneously funny and poignant remark on the zany, moralistic film about Tama Hills supernatural tanuki losing their home to human urban over-development. A color simulation board for Kaguya's kimono by Kazuo Oga from "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" film shows Takahata's method of stylization. | © 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi / Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK The final section is dedicated to 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,' Takahata's last film which was released in 2013. A video shows Takahata and his team at work; the director explains his technique, which I think of as selective realism. In his films, some aspects of a given scene might be intricately detailed while others are barely sketched in. In 'Princess Kaguya' in particular, the coloring is pale, relying on watercolor, and many scenes have no margins or look half-finished. Takahata explains he didn't want to visualize too much on the part of the viewer. 'Humans are more imaginative,' the director says in the video. 'They can feel empathy even through depersonalized drawings.' The last gallery space contains drawings from the film's two most memorable scenes, one in which the princess is dancing for joy under cherry blossoms and one in which she's running out of fear and fury under a full moon. Clips of the final products loop side-by-side above, one exuberant, and one literally breathtaking, their propelling motion a dynamic finale to Takahata's exacting life's work. . 'The man who planted Japanese animation' is on view at Tokyo's Azabudai Hills Gallery through Sept. 15. For more information, visit
South China Morning Post
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Study Buddy (Challenger): Studio Ghibli turns 40, but fans worry about the future of the animation studio
Content provided by British Council Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below [1] Japan's Studio Ghibli turns 40 this month, with two Oscars and legions of fans, young and old, won over by its films' complex plots and hand-drawn animation. But the future of the studio is uncertain. Its latest hit, The Boy and the Heron, is likely the final feature from its celebrated co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, now 84. [2] The studio behind the Oscar-winning Spirited Away has become a cultural phenomenon since Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata established it in 1985. Its popularity has been fuelled recently by a second Academy Award in 2024 for The Boy and the Heron, featuring a voice cast that includes Robert Pattinson, and by Netflix streaming Ghibli films worldwide. [3] Before Ghibli, most anime was made for children. But Miyazaki and Takahata, both from 'the generation that knew war', included darker elements that appeal to adults, Miyazaki's son Goro said. 'It's not all sweet – there's also a bitterness and things like that which are beautifully intertwined in the work,' he said, describing a 'whiff of death' in the films. [4] For younger people who grew up in peacetime, 'it is impossible to create something with the same sense, approach and attitude', Goro said. Even My Neighbor Totoro, with its cuddly forest creatures, is in some ways a 'scary' film that explores the fear of losing a sick mother, he explained. [5] Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University in the United States and author of Miyazakiworld: A Life in Art, agreed. 'In Ghibli, you have ambiguity, complexity and also a willingness to see that the darkness and light often go together,' unlike good-versus-evil US cartoons, she said. [6] For example, the post-apocalyptic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has no obvious villain. The anime, featuring an independent princess curious about giant insects and a poisonous forest, felt 'so fresh' and a change from 'a passive woman ... having to be rescued', Napier said. [7] Studio Ghibli films also depict a universe where humans connect deeply with nature and the spirit world. A case in point is 1997's Princess Mononoke. The tale of a girl raised by a wolf goddess in a forest threatened by humans is 'a masterpiece – but a hard movie', Napier said. It's a 'serious, dark and violent' film appreciated more by adults, which 'was not what US audiences had anticipated with a movie about a princess'. [8] Ghibli films 'have an environmentalist and animistic side, which I think is very appropriate for the contemporary world with climate change', she added. Animism is the belief that natural objects and the universe itself have souls. Miyuki Yonemura, a professor at Japan's Senshu University who studies cultural theories on animation, said watching Ghibli films is like reading literature. 'That's why some children watch Totoro 40 times,' she said. [9] Miyazaki and Takahata – who died in 2018 – could create imaginative worlds because of their openness towards other cultures, Yonemura said. Foreign influences included Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, writer of The Little Prince, and Canadian artist Frédéric Back, who won an Oscar for his animation The Man Who Planted Trees. Source: Agence France-Presse, June 9 Questions 1. Based on paragraph 1, a likely reason for Studio Ghibli's success could be its ... A. use of advanced computer animation techniques B. focus on simple, straightforward narratives C. unique blend of intricate storyline and traditional animation D. frequent release of new feature films. 2. What does the phrase 'legions of fans young and old' in paragraph 2 suggest about Studio Ghibli's appeal? 3. What impact did Spirited Away have on the animation studio's reputation, according to paragraph 2? 4. Based on paragraph 3, Miyazaki and Takahata's experiences likely ... A. contributed to a deeper, more nuanced portrayal of life in their films. B. limited their creative scope to only war-related stories. C. influenced them to create anime with an educational element. D. led them to avoid any sad or difficult topics in their work. 5. What emotion does Goro say is explored in My Neighbor Totoro in paragraph 4? 6. In paragraph 5, what contrast does Napier draw between Studio Ghibli films and US cartoons? 7. Based on your understanding of paragraph 6, what was the typical portrayal of women in anime prior to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind? 8. Which of the following best describes the conflict presented in Princess Mononoke in paragraph 7? A. a dispute between two human kingdoms B. the struggle between humans and nature C. a personal journey of self-discovery D. none of the above 9. Based on your understanding of paragraph 8, what aspect of Ghibli films is particularly relevant to the current global situation, and why? (2 marks) 'The Boy and the Heron' won an Academy Award in 2024. Photo: Studio Ghibli/TNS Answers 1. C 2. It suggests that Studio Ghibli's appeal is widespread and intergenerational and that its films resonate with a diverse audience, attracting both children and adults (accept all similar answers). 3. The film played a significant role in establishing Studio Ghibli's reputation and contributing to its eventual cultural phenomenon status (accept all similar answers) 4. A 5. the fear of losing a sick mother 6. Ghibli's approach of ambiguity, complexity, darkness and light together is starkly different to that of US cartoons, which are typically 'good-versus-evil. 7. Women in anime were often portrayed as passive characters who needed to be rescued. 8. B 9. The environmentalist and animistic aspect of Ghibli films is particularly relevant to the current global situation because they reflect the need for a more harmonious and sustainable relationship between humanity and the natural world, which is desperately needed in the face of climate change (accept all reasonable answers).
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Isao Takahata Exhibition In Tokyo Is Both Poignant And Fascinating
The legendary Isao Takahata finally has a comprehensive exhibition of his work in anime, and it is both poignant as it is fascinating. Takahata was one of the co-founders of Studio Ghibli, along with Hayao Miyazaki, with whom he often collaborated. While Takahata sadly died in 2018, his work is very much with us, as this exhibition shows. Much of Ghibli's early output was cemented through Takahata's involvement and steady hand. He was a producer on both Nausicaä and Laputa, and his expertise is also very much present in the pre-Ghibli but still amazing Future Boy Conan. Being a very talented director and screenwriter in his own right, Takahata would also mark out his own career in anime. For many, though, it's his 1988 film, Grave of the Fireflies, that many really know him for. Dealing with the horrific reality of children attempting to survive the Second World War in Japan, it's a truly harrowing tale. Isao Takahata is a legendary figure in anime. So, this exhibition has an enormous amount of ground to cover, which it does with respectful thoroughness. From how Takahata started out in anime, to his work on early famous anime movies and popular TV shows, you really get to see how diligent and capable Takahata really was at managing these productions. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder From Heidi to Anne of Green Gables, Takahata cemented himself as a genuinely wholesome and thoughtful anime director. I also feel that, along with Yoshiyuki Tomino, Takahata's contribution to Future Boy Conan is what makes it so remarkable. So, if you're in Tokyo and want to pay your respects to Takahata's impressive body of work, this exhibition comes very much recommended. The Isao Takahata Exhibition is now open to the public at the Azabudai Hills Gallery in Tokyo. Tickets start at 2,000 yen (or around $14 at the current exchange rate) and it will run until September 15. Isao Takahata Isao Takahata Exhibition Gallery Location: Azabudai Hills Gallery Duration: June 27th - September 15th Entrance: 2,000 yen Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
